Trumps light national Christmas tree for first time

Jermaine Castillo

This year's National Christmas Tree is a Colorado blue spruce from Virginia, ad it was planted on the Ellipse on October 27, 2012, according to Shelby Galvin, public affairs specialist Public Affairs Specialist with the National Parks Service.

A press statement from the White House says the decorations were designed by First Lady Melania Trump "with a nod to tradition" and paying "respect to 200 years of holiday traditions at the White House". The theme of the White House holiday decorations this year is 'Time-Honored Traditions'.

During his campaign, Trump had promised that, when he was elected, people would be saying "Merry Christmas again", a reference to what he characterized as the country's obsession with political correctness. The US President wished all Americans a merry Christmas and happy New year.

"For Christians this is a holy season, the celebration of the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ", he said. Trump said. "We are called to serve one another, to love one another, and to pursue peace in our hearts and all throughout the world", he added.

"With Trump as your president, we are going to be celebrating "merry Christmas" again and it's going to be done with a big, handsome tax cut", he continued.

The family Christmas card is framed and on display. The first lady unveiled the decorations at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday, while welcoming children of military families to the residence.

To qualify for the national contest, growers must first win their state or regional competitions, so being named National Grand Champion is a major achievement.

The first lady's office previewed the decorations for journalists on Monday after more than 150 volunteers from 29 states spent 1,600 hours during the long holiday weekend decking the White House halls.

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